Niederrheiner Bantam

The Niederrheiner Bantam is characterized by a broad, rectangular, and rounded body. It is a medium-heavy bantam that should appear powerful yet elegant. A notable breed standard is that the actual back should not be wider than three fingers, though the shoulders and rising tail line give an impression of great breadth. The legs are fine-boned and flesh-colored (whitish-pink), which is a distinctive trait for this breed.

• Build: Broad and square-ish with a deep breast and full belly.
• Comb: Medium-sized, single comb that stands straight and upright.
• Face: Smooth and red with small earlobes and wattles.
• Tail: Medium length but very broad and well-feathered, carried at a moderate height.

True to its origins as a utility breed, the Niederrheiner Bantam is an excellent layer. While the official standard notes a quantity of approximately 150 eggs per year, many breeders report that hens frequently exceed 200 eggs annually. This makes them one of the most productive bantam breeds for backyard enthusiasts interested in egg production.

• Egg Color: Yellowish to light brown.
• Egg Weight: Approximately 1.4 oz (40g).
• Broodiness: They are generally not prone to excessive broodiness, focusing instead on consistent production.

Sexual dimorphism in this breed is most evident in the tail structure and body lines. The rooster features strong main sickles and a dense covering of side sickles that are well-curved but do not grow excessively long. His back line is slightly arched and flows gracefully into the tail. The hen has a more horizontal carriage and a highly developed abdominal region (the egg belly), reflecting her laying capacity. Her tail is carried slightly more open compared to the rooster's tightly-sickled carriage.

This breed is considered very hardy and adaptable. Developed in the Lower Rhine region of Germany, they are well-suited to Northern European and North American climates. Their single comb requires protection from extreme frost to prevent frostbite, but their robust body and dense feathering provide excellent insulation against cold weather. They are active birds that thrive with access to a run but can also adapt to more confined spaces.

The Niederrheiner Bantam is famous for its Blue Cuckoo (Blauw-koekoek) variety, which is unique among bantams. Unlike the sharp black-and-white contrast found in most cuckoo patterns, the Niederrheiner Blue Cuckoo features blue-gray markings that are intentionally slightly blurred or watery (verwaterd) rather than razor-sharp.

• Birchen: Black with silver hackles and breast lacing.
• Blue: A solid, even steel-blue.
• Cuckoo Partridge: A complex combination of cuckoo barring over a partridge base.
• Yellow Cuckoo: Barring over a warm goudgeel (golden-yellow) base.

The breed was created in Ehlershausen near Hannover, Germany, in the late 1930s and early 1940s by E. Runne. His goal was to shrink the large Niederrheiner chicken while retaining its superior utility traits—specifically high egg production and quality meat. Interestingly, the breed faced early suppression when the political regime of the time banned the new breed, viewing unauthorized poultry development with suspicion. Runne persisted in secret, and the Niederrheiner Bantam was finally officially recognized in 1953. The original colors were Birchen and Blue Cuckoo.